Scarlets forwards coach Danny Wilson admitted he could lose his 56-times capped hooker, but hopes Rees will stay in Llanelli.

"I would like him to stay because he is a world-class hooker,” he said.

“His set-piece work is excellent and you want to work with players of that international calibre and leadership.

"His leadership skills are invaluable and he helps bring on the likes of Samson Lee and other young props.

“It is a possibility with any player within a squad who is out of contract at the end of the season they could move on.

"Until a player has made a decision or formally signed there is always a possibility of a player leaving.

"Matthew has not been with us for the last month because he has been away on international duty and focussing on that.

"So not much discussion has been had on that subject at the moment. He is back in the fold with us and he is an important player in our squad.

While the Scarlets would no doubt want to keep such a battle-hardened campaigner, they do have another international hooker on their books in Ken Owens and a highly-rated youngster in Kirby Myhill, who has trained with Wales this autumn, while Emyr Phillips has impressed in recent weeks.

"This is a position where we have strength in depth," added Wilson.

"We have Ken Owens who is of a similar vein to Matthew and we are lucky to have Emyr Phillips and Kirby Myhill who are two names for the future.

"Emyr has impressed me in the last couple of weeks with his performances after coming back from a long-term injury.

"So it is good we have a couple of young hookers coming through who will wear that Scarlets shirt in the future."

Meanwhile, Wilson admitted Wales wing George North remained an injury doubt for the Scarlets must win home Heineken Cup match against Exeter on Saturday.

North missed the last two Welsh international defeats against New Zealand and Australia with a hip problem.

"We are taking George's situation on a day by day basis," added Wilson.

"Whether he will be available for Saturday won't be determined until later in the week when we will discover how he responds to treatment."

Scarlets skipper Rob McCusker and fellow Welsh back-rower Josh Turnbull will miss the European encounter and are expected to return later this month.

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